Velocipede



(No Model.) 4Sheets-Sheet 1.

' C. E. DURYEA. VELOCIPEDE.

10.432,124. Patented July 15', 1890.l

l(No Model.) I l C.. E. DURYEA.

VBLUGIPEDE. 110.432,124. Patented July 15, 1890.

Winesses (No Modell) l 4 sheets-sheen 3. C; E. DURYEA. VELOGIPEDE.

. Patented July 15,1890.

o. E. DURYEA.

4 Sheets--She'nI 4.

VELOGIPEDE..

(No Model.)

No. 432,124. Patented July 15, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. DURYEA, OF VASIIINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE ROUSE-DURYEA CYCLE COMPANY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,124, dated July 15, 1890.

Application filed November 19, 1889. Serial No. 380,893. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, CHARLES E. DURYEA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tashington, in the District of Columbia., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Veloci pedes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invent-ion, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to 1o make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of velocipedes known as rear-driving Safety bicycles, and is designed as an improvement on the spring-frame bicycle of that class described in United States Letters Patent No. 402,313, granted to me on the th day of April, 1889.

One object of this invention is to provide an adjustable truss-frame for the support of 2o the spring or springs of the bicycle-frame, thus imparting rigidity to the frame of the machine as a whole without limiting the vertical play thereof.

Another object of the invention is to facili- 2 5 tate adjustlnents of the framesprings.

Another object of the invention is to so arf range the steering-head with relation to the wheel-base as to avoid side draft in mounting obstacles.

Another object of the invention is to provide for adjusting the inclination of the handgrip with relation to the rider.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate adjustments of the chains.

With these and minor objects in view the invention consists in novel features of `construction and combinations to behereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l 4o represents a side elevation of my improved bicycle. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of the reach, showing the steering device. Fig. 3 is a modifieation of the same. Fig. Il is a detail perspective showing the meansfor adjusting the driving-chain and supportilig-spring. F1g.5

is a sectional view showing the step and mudguard brace mounted on the rear axle. Figs.

mechanism. Fig. 11 is a vertical section of the steering and seat-supporting post. l2 and 13 are details of the adjustable handles. Fig. 14I is a detail, partly in section, showing the main supporting-spring. Figs. 15 and 1G are details of the steehringcenter. 17, 1S, and 10 are modifications of the trussframe. Figs. 2O and 2l are details of the same. Fig. 22 is a modification showing the manner of supporting the saddle-post.

The same letters of reference indicateidentical parts in all the figures.

The frame of the machine now to be described is the same in general outline as that described in my Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to, and is also made of front and rear sectionsA and B, or reach and forks, as I shall term them, the meeting ends of which are provided with perforated lugs a and b to receive a connecting bolt or shaft C, which may also be utilized to carry the cranks c and driving-sprocket c', as shown.

The rear end of the reach A terminates in a yoke A', Within which a center block D is suspended by the shaft C, and rising from this center block D isa tubular post E, which, in connection with adjuncts to be presently described, carries the saddle-post and steering-post of the machine. By this arrangement the saddle, handle-bar, and pedals are supported by the crankshaft C, on which the front and rear ends are pivoted.

The rear ends of the tubular forks B are open and split to receive the threaded stems of the eyebolts IS, within the eyes of which the ends of the rear axle F are seated, and between the eye of each bolt and the end of the fork is a nut b', by the adjustment of which the axle may be forced rearward to take up slack 'in the driving-chain.

The frame is supported at its pivotal point that is, between the Wheels-by a spring or springs carried by a trussframe,`and of this arrangement I have shown several modifications, but will first describe the form illustrated in Fig. le and which I have had in practical use.

A depending sleeve D is rigidly secured to Figs. 5o

Figs.

' making what I term a pinch-bind.

`to form a ball-race e2.

the under side of the center block D, and within this sleeve is mounted to slide another or piston sleeve t, carried by a stirrup-block g', the opposite sides of which are connected by pivot-bolts to the inner ends of the front and rear truss-rods G and G. A stout coiled spring g3 is seated within these sleeves, its lower end being supported by the stirrupblock g', while its upper end supports the outer sleeve D', whereby the weight of the rider is carried by this spring g3 and its supporting truss-frame. To regulate the tension of the spring g3 to suit riders of different weights, I compress it to a greater or less extent by adjusting the outer ends of the front and rear truss-rods or otherwise, as hereinafter shown.

The outer ends of the front truss-rod G are pivotally and adjustably secured to the reach at a just in rear of the front or steering` wheel in any suitable or preferred manner, while the outer ends of the rear truss-rods G are fitted with e'yes g4 to receive a bolt b2, which connects the opposite ends of a split sleeve b3, embracing the rear split ends of the forks I3. f By this arrangement a single bolt b2 can be utilized to secure the rear ends of the truss-rods and also to clamp the sides of the sleeve b3 tightly, thus constituting a pinch-bind to hold the stems of the eyebolts B firmly within the rear ends of the lforks until it is desired to change their adjustment.

The underside of the center block D is provided with an annular recess or ball-race d2, from which the tubular post E rises, and within this post is loosely seated the lower section of the steering-bar I, consisting of a tube i, provided at its lower end with a coned ball race or track e', and carrying at its split upper end a rigidly-secured split collar E3. The upper end of the tubular post E is provided with a male thread to receive a nut E2; the upper end of which is shaped interiorly BetweenI this nut E2 and the split collar E3 is a ring c3, having an annular recess in its lower end constituting the upper end of a ball-race. The lower end of the nut E2 is provided with a circular series of perforations e4, and surrounding the nut at this point is a light spring e5, provided at one end with a pin c6, adapted to pass through one or the other of the perforations e4 and into a notch or recess in the tubular post E, thus securely locking the nut to the post after adjustment.

The saddle-post or L-rod II is provided at its lower end with a split sleeve h, which embraces the tubular post E, and may be tightly clamped thereon at any point of vertical adj ustm ent by a bolt h', which engages a tapped lug h2 on the opposite edge of the split sleeve,

Modifications of this may be used, as two binds, one above the other, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. y

The upper section c" of the steering-rod I,

which is also tubular, as shown, ts snugly in the lower section c', and is adj ustably clamped therein by a pinch-bind formed by the split collar E3. The upper ends z" of this steeringbar have two branches properly curved to form the handle-bars i2 of the machine, each branch being fitted at the end with an adjustable hand-grip consisting of a plug I', fitting within the handle-bar and clamped immovably therein by a pinch-bind t4, as shown, but adapted to be rotated for adjustment when the pinch-bind is loosened. A stem projects at an obtuse angle from this plug-I and is provided with a horn, rubber, or other suitable hand-piece I2. The pinch-bind 2'4 is provided on opposite sides with projections or bosses i7, through which the adj Listing-bolt of the pinch-bind passes.

To one or both of the handle-bars say i2- near the grip, is pivoted a brake-lever K, consisting of a stout piece of sheet metal stamped up or swaged to straddle the handlebar forward of the grip, the arms or wings 'i8 thereof fitting over the projections or bosses @"7 and held thereon by washers or heads on the adj listing-bolt, the bosses i7 being slightly thicker than the thickness of the brake-lever, so as to leave said lever free to move thereon,

while the lever is slotted centrally to receive one end of a buckle 7c, of the form shown in Fig. l0, designed to hold one end of the brakestrap k. This brake-strap is a light ribbon of steel or other tough metal, and passes from the brake-lever K through a slot 6 into the hollow handle-bar, and thence down through the steering-bar, and is secured at its lower end by a binding-screw l to a metal strap Z, carried by the forward or free end of the brake-yoke L. I provide the brake-strap som ewhat lon ger th an necessary, and the overlapping end I return to the tube t' of the steering-post. This brake-yoke is of U shape, its forward end straddling the sleeve D', while its rear end is pivoted to binding-collars Z2, adjustably secured to the rear truss-rods G. At a suitable distance forward of its fulcrum the brake-yoke L is connected by a pivot-bolt to a lug m, projecting forward from the rear mud-guard M, which at this point is fitted on its rear or concave side with a brake-shoe M', which, as the mud-guard is not supported at its forward end except by the brake-yoke, may be forced against the rear-wheel tire by the proper manipulation of the brake-lever K.

The mud-guard is supported above the rear wheel by braces m', each formed of one continuous rod, the ends of which m2 are connected together and to the mud-guard by any suitable means. These rods are bent at opposite points m3, Figs. l, 4, and 5, to form a substantially V-shaped frame. At the points 'm3 the rods are embraced by straps f, secured on the ends of the rear aXle F by the nuts f', which lock the adj Listing-cones F. (See Figs. 4 and 5.)

The reach is bent to the form shown and described in my former patent, terminates at IOO its forward end in a "neck and center pin 02, Figs. 1, 15, and 16, and the axle of the forward or steering wheel is provided with or rigidly secured to a rearwardlyextending bracket O, divided at its rear end into upper and lower branches 0 o', carrying the steering-centers, which are so arranged that a line drawn centrally through them would cross the wheel forward of its base or point of contact with the ground and from one to two inches above a horizontal line drawn forward from said point of contact, as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. The lower branch o of the bracket O is continued rearward past the lower center and terminates in a ball 0.

Projecting laterally fromthe lower end of the steering-bar I is an arm I3, to the outer cnd of which is pivoted the rear end of a connecting-rod n, the forward end of which is connected by an adjustable ball-and-socket joint n to a bent lever N, fulcrumed on a stud n2, proj ecting downward from or near the outer angle of the reach A. The forward end of thislever N terminates opposite the rear end of the lower branch o of the bracket O, and is at this point provided with a ball n3, which is coupled with the ball o2 by a pair of linkplates P, the meeting faces of which are provided at the ends with hemispherical sockets p, within which the balls n3 and o2 are seated. These link-plates are adjustably secured together by a screw-bolt p', passing cent-rally through both plates I).

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification of the steering device, in which case I dispense with the connecting-rod n, and the arm I3, instead of projecting laterally from the steering-post I, as hereinbefore described, projects forwardly and is connected with a rearward extension on the bent lever N by a couplinglink P', similar to the coupling-links P. To the rear axle F is secured a step Q, consisting of a stout piece of sheet metal formed with downwardly-extending sides V. At oneend the sides and top are bent inwardly at right angles to the sides to overlap each other and provided with openings which register with each other and adapt-ed to fit over the end of the axle outside the strap f, and secured thereon by a nut f', which turns with the step.

fhile I have described the truss-rods and springsupports shown in Fig. 14 as my preferred construction, it is evident that they may be greatly varied without departing from the principle of my invention. Forinstance, I may construct the spring truss-frame as shown in Fig. 1, in which the rods G G are` provided at their inner ends with expansion or spring' joints R R', as shown in Figs. G, 17, 20, and 21, each of which consists of two interlockin g stirrupsjj, between-which a coiled spring J is placed. The rods G G are screwthreaded for a considerable distance at their inner ends and are provided with janrnuts r o', by means of: which the outer ends of the stirrups j j are adj ustably secured to the truss-rods, and the stirrups jj straddle the ends of the stirrups jj and also a projection D2 on the lower end of the depending sleeve D', to which they are pivotally secured by a bolt D3. The stirrup j is provided at its inner end with a conical projection 3'2, which, together with the projecting screw-threaded end of the rod G, serves to retain the spring .I in place. rlhe spring-joint R in the rear truss-rods G differs from the joint R in the front truss-rod only in that the stirrup j is provided with ears jg ,i3 for the attachment of the truss-rods G which pass one each side of the drive-wheel and are secured to the ends of the axle, as hereinbefore described, and the stirrups both front and rear are of such shape that when interlocked they form a joint substantially circular in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 20. The tension of the springs .I is adj usted by adjusting the jam-nuts rr on the truss-rods.

In the construction of truss-frame shown in Fig. 1S I dispense with the projecting sleeve D below the center block and connect the truss-rods G G to the seat-supporting post E at a suitable point above the crank-axle, the truss-rods being provided with tension or elastic joints of any suitable construction. The adjustment of the tension of the springs in the truss-frame may be effected by sliding the clevis or pinch-bind b3 longitudinally on the frame of the machine, as shown by dotted lines in Fig'. 1S.

In Fig. 19 I have shown still another form of truss-frame. In this construction I provide the seat-supporting post E with two adjustable collars 7t27t3. On the standard. E, bctween the collars k2 7c3, is placed a sliding collar 7c* to which the inner ends of the truss-v rods G G are pivotally connected, and the outer ends of said truss-rods are pivotally connected to a pinch-bind s s, adjustable on the sections A and B 0f the frame. On the standard E, between the upper collar k2 and sliding collar 704, is a coiled spring 1.35, for su pporting the weight ot' the rider. In order to provide for adj ustment of the tension of the springs to suit different riders, I construct the truss-rods in two parts z5 t', clamped together `by a clamping-bolt t2.

In Fig. 22 I have shown the seatsupporting post E pivotally mounted in the yoke A on a cross-pin or bolt S, in which case I dispense with the center block D, hercinbefore referred to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

IOC

otally connected to the frame at front and rear and to the pivoted strut or post, subf stantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In avelocipede, the combination, with the wheels thereof, of a jointed frame, a seatsupport mounted upon a spring on the frame, and an adjustable truss-frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. In a veloeipede, the combination, with the wheels thereof, of a jointed frame, a seatsupport pivot-ally mounted on the frame at or near the joint thereof, and a spring trussframe for supporting the jointed frame and seat-support, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. In a veloeipede, the combination, with the wheels thereof, of a jointed frame, the joint of which is concentric with the crankaxle, a seat-support mounted on the frame at or near the crank-axle, and a spring trussframe for the jointed frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. In a veloeipede, the combination, with the wheels thereof, of a jointed frame, a combined seat-support and steering-post pivotally mounted on the frame at or near the crank-axle, and a spring truss-frame for supporting the seat-support in an upright position, substantially as and for the purposes described.

7. In a veloeipede, the combination, with the Wheels thereof, of a jointed frame, a tubular seatsupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a spring truss-frame for supporting the seat-support in an upright position, a steering-post mounted in the tubular seatsupport and having a crank-arm at its lower end, and means for connecting the crank-arm with the steering-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. In a veloeipede, the combination, with a jointed frame, of a tubular seat-support pivotally mounted on said jointed frame, a spring truss-frame for maintaining the seatsupport in an upright position, a steeringpost vertically adjustable in said tubular support and having a crank-arm at its lower end, and a lever and rod connecting the crank with the steering-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes described.

9. In a veloeipede, the combination, With the frame, of a tubular seat-support, an eX- tensible steering-post mounted in said tubular seat-support, said steering-post terminating at top in forked handle-bars and provided with a crank-arm at its lower end, and means for connectin g the crank-arm with the steering-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes-described.

, 10. The combination, with a vertically-adjustable and extensible tubular steering-post terminating at top in forked handle-bars, said handle-bars having split ends, of handgrips adjustable in said split ends to vary the angle with relation to the handle-bars and a pinch-bind for securing the same therein after adjustment, substantially as and for the purposes described.

11. The combination, with a tubular seatsupporting standard, of a steering-post adjustable in said standard, said steering-post having forked handle-bars and adjustable hand-grips, substantially as and for the purposes described.

12. In a veloeipede, the combination, with the tubular handle-bars having split outer ends, of hand-grips adj ustably secured in said split ends, an open collar embracing said split ends and having bosses thereon, abi-akelever pivoted on said bosses, and a clampingscrew by which the open collar is clamped on the handle-bar and the brake-lever securely held on said bosses, substantially as and for the purposes described.

13. In a veloeipede, the combination, with the frame and driving-wheel, of the steeringbars, a brake-lever pivoted on the frame, a

1n 11d-guard, one end of which is pivotally supported on said brake-lever and provided with a brake-shoe, a hand-lever on the handle-bar, and a connection between said brake-lever and hand-lever, substantially as and for th purposes described.

14. The combination, with the frame and driving-wheel, of steering-bars, a mud-guard supported at its rear end upon the axle ot said wheel and at its forward end upon a 1ever pivoted to the main frame, a brake shoe on the mud-guard, a brake-lever on the steering-bar, and a flexible connection between the brake and brake-lever, substantially as and for the purposes described.

15. The combination, with the drivingwheel and frame, of a tubular seat-support, an extensible tubular steeringpost provided with tubular handle-bars, a brake-shoe pivoted on the frame of the machine, a brakelever on one or both of the handle-bars, and a flexible connection between the brake-shoe and brake-lever, said flexible connection being adjustable in length to compensate for the adjustment of the steering-post and inclosed in said handle-bars and steering-posts, substantially as and for the purposes described.

16. The combination, with the frame and drive-wheel of a veloeipede, ot' a verticallyadjustable tubular steering-post having tubular handle-bars, a brake-shoe pivoted on the frame of the machine, a brake-lever pivoted on one of the handle-bars, and an adjustable iiexible connection between the brake-shoe and brake-lever, said flexible connection inclosed in the handle-bar and steering-post, substantially as and for the purposes described.

17. The combination, with the drivingwheel and jointed frame, of a truss-rod on each side of said wheel, a U-shaped lever pivoted at its ends to said truss-rods, a brake-shoe.

pivoted between the arms of said lever, a steering-post having handle-bars, a brake- IOO TIO

lever on one of the handle-bars, and means for connecting the brake-lever with the U- shaped lever, substantially as and for the purposes described.

1S. ln a Safety bicycle, the combination of the frame having a fork between the arms of which the drive-Wheel is located, said arms terminating in hollow ends, screwthreaded bolts loosely fitting in said hollow ends, said bolts having eyes at their outer ends in which thc axle of the drive-wheel is secured, an ad j usting-nut on said eyebolt for longitudinally adjusting the drive-wheel with relation to the crank-axle, and a chainv gearing for transmitting' motion from the crankaxle to the drive-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes described.

19. In a Safety bicycle, the combination, with the frame and crank-axle journaled thereon, of eyebolts in which said drive-wheel is held, said eyebolts being longitudinally adj ustable in said frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

20. The combination, with the wheels and frame of a Safety bicycle, said frame passing to one side only of the steering-wheel and provided with center-pins at its forward end, of a steering-post mounted on said frame and having a crank-arm at its lower end, a rearwardly-extending arm on the axle of the steerin g-wheel, substantially as described, for su pporting the forward end of the frame, a lever pivoted to the frame and connected with the crank-arm of the steeringpost, and alinlc connecting said lever with the arm on the steering-Wheel, substantially as and for the purposes described. V

2l. The combination, with the frame having a neck or center-pins o2 at its forward end, of a steering-wheel located to one side of said frame, a rearwardly-eXtending bracket secured to the axle of said steering-wheel and provided with bearings forsaid center-pins, said steering-centers being forwardly and inwardly inclined, so that a line drawn centrally through them will cross the wheel forward of its point of contact with the ground, substantially as and for thc purposes described.

22. The combination, with the rear wheel, of a V-shaped frame each side of the drivewheel, said frames embraced at their angles by metallic straps f, secured to the axle of the drive-wheel, and a mud-guard mounted on the ends of said V-shaped frames, substantially as and for the purposes described.

The combination, with a frame jointed at or near the crank-axle, of a seat-supporti n g post mounted on a center block pivotally mounted on the crank-axle, a downwardlyprojecting post on said center block in line with the crank-axle, and truss-rods extending from said post to the frame of the machine to support the same, substantially as and for the purposes described.

24. In a velocipede, the combination, with the rear axle, of a step mounted thereon,said step consisting of a single piece of sheet metal having depending sides, the sides and top at one end being turned at right angles to overlap each other, and provided with registering openings adapted to fit over the end of the axle, and a nut for securing the step to the axle, substantially as and for the pur- CHARLES E. DUR''IEA.

lVitnesses:

E. T. WALKER, C. DRURY. 

